I can't think of anymore the Lakers can do to convince the masses that they are the team to beat for the NBA championship, especially after their dominating victory over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on MLK day.

With their drubbing of the of the Cavs, the Lakers have defeated the top two teams in the NBA where they were in those respective positions. First it was the Boston massacre on Christmas day and then the Cavs.

Mind that neither of these early season milestones will amount to an NBA title- that my friends will be decided in June- but they go a long way into determining where this team stands rights now.

Save for that hiccup against Orlando Magic at the Staples Center, the Lakers poised at 32-8 are clearly the best in the West and any title run will go through them.

Right now, not even Boston or the Cavs are the best in the East, and after Dwight Howard came in here and made a statement, the Magic began this week with the best record in the NBA at 33-8.

The Lakers are doing it with defense, led by none other than Trevor Ariza who had three steals against the Cavs and averages nearly two steals per game to go along with nine points and five rebounds.

Kobe Bryant is still the big fish in this league, and the reigning MVP served further proof against James that he's still the best player in this league since Jordan and one can make an argument for him being the best ever.

Bryant is averaging a league third best 27 points per game and on MLK day has 12 assist. So much for that silly notion that he's not making his teammate better.

Pau Gasol is next with a 17 point per game clip and then there is Andrew Bynum at 12 points and Fisher with 11, and Ariza.

Talk about depth and balance it's there. Talk about a team on a mission for something huge and you're talking about the Lakers.